RI Young Dems elect new leadership

PROVIDENCE - Nearly fifty young Democratic activists turned out to the Wild Colonial Tavern in Providence on Thursday night to hear candidates make their pitch to serve a two-year term on the board of the RI Young Democrats. They elected a new nine member board with Andy Andujar winning an uncontested race for president. Andujar, who replaces outgoing president Paul Tencher, was the first Latino member of the powerful Ward 13 Democratic Committee in Providence and currently serves on Sen. Maryellen Goodwin's Senate District Committee.

The entire list of winning candidates and a brief description are as follows:

• President: Andy Andujar, Mayoral Aide for Providence Mayor David Cicilline & Member of the Senate District 1 Committee

"The new board is excited to continue the great progress that the outgoing Board has made in reviving this important vehicle for young, Democratic activists and turning out the largest number of youth voters in decades in 2006" Andjuar said. "Our immediate goals are to build our volunteer base and to raise money so that we can continue motivating young people to get involved in the political process. We want to inspire young people to get involved in Sen. Jack Reed's upcoming re-election, in Congressional races, in General Assembly races and especially in the Democratic presidential campaigns so that we can bring an end to the failed Bush policies in Iraq."

The previous board of the RI Young Democrats has been credited with reviving the organization and organizing young people to lead, volunteer and participate in the great Democratic victories of 2006 from electing the first woman Lt. Gov. in Rhode Island to swinging the fate of the US Senate by electing Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Young Democrats were also instrumental in the campaigns to elect Treasurer Frank Caprio, Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, Attorney General Patrick Lynch and Providence Mayor David Cicilline.